Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has launched a major legal offensive against Chinese manufacturer Contec over allegations of concealed cybersecurity risks and flagrant violations of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA).
At the heart of the controversy are patient monitors, widely used in American healthcare, that allegedly contain a hidden “backdoor” and transmit sensitive patient data directly to China.
“Medical devices that record patient data must be secure and should not send data to entities controlled by the Chinese Communist Party,” declared Attorney General Uthmeier. “Protecting Americans’ sensitive, personal data from our enemies is paramount, and my office will get to the bottom of this deception.”
READ: Jolly’s “Gun Grab” Declared A War On Second Amendment In Florida Governor’s Race
The Attorney General’s office revealed startling evidence suggesting that Contec, a company with a decade-long presence in the U.S. market, deliberately obscured critical security flaws in its products. These flaws reportedly include a built-in “backdoor” that could allow malicious actors to manipulate data displayed on the devices without the knowledge of patients or healthcare providers.
Even more concerning, the monitors are allegedly programmed to automatically transmit patient information to an IP address owned by a university in China.
READ :Florida TaxWatch Flags $416 Million In “Budget Turkeys” In 2025-26 State Budget
This news comes amid heightened warnings from the FBI about cyberattacks targeting American healthcare systems, underscoring the severe implications of such vulnerabilities. Federal agencies have already recommended that these specific monitors be disconnected or disabled, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
The lawsuit also targets Epsimed, a Miami-based reseller accused of relabeling and selling Contec’s problematic monitors under its own brand.
Both Contec, with its American branch in Illinois, and Epsimed face a barrage of accusations under FDUTPA, including:
- False FDA Approval Claims: Contec allegedly misrepresented its monitors as FDA-approved when they were not.
- Misleading “International Standards” Assertions: Epsimed claimed its monitors met international standards like FDA, CE, and ISO, despite their significant cybersecurity flaws.
- Deceptive Quality Assurance: Both companies are accused of promising product quality, safety, and reliability that were non-existent, given the “backdoor” and data transmission to China.
- False OEM Representation: Epsimed allegedly portrayed itself as a “leading OEM manufacturer” when it was simply reselling Contec’s monitors under a new label.
- Omission of Material Facts: Both Contec and Epsimed are accused of deliberately withholding information about the monitors’ security vulnerabilities.
- Unfair Practices and Consumer Harm: The core of the complaint alleges that the sale of monitors transmitting patient information to China constitutes an unfair practice causing direct consumer harm.
READ: Summer Sizzle: Expansive Heat Wave To Grip Central And Eastern U.S.
Attorney General Uthmeier’s legal action seeks not only damages and civil penalties but also injunctive relief to prevent future consumer harm.
This move signals Florida’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens’ sensitive medical data and holding foreign manufacturers accountable for deceptive and potentially dangerous practices in the American market. The case is expected to garner national attention as it explores the critical intersection of healthcare, cybersecurity, and international manufacturing ethics.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
